Chandigarh: The Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) is planning to rope in private sector to work as service providers at the India International Horticulture Market (IIHM), Ganaur and the 100 horticulture collection centres, it plans to set up all over the state.

HSAMB has invited expressions of interest from intending partners from private and public sector to work as service providers at the IIHM, Ganaur in Sonipat, and at the 100 horticulture centres, an official release said in Chandigarh on Sunday.

The PPP route is being taken to combine the vastness of the state infrastructure with efficiency of the private sector to bring growers better return and the consumers fresh produce at reasonable prices, it said.

The Board is setting up IIHM at Ganaur in the National Capital Region in an area of over 500 acres. It will be positioned as a potential hub for export of fruits, flowers and vegetables from all over the country.

Ganaur has close proximity to Azadpur market in Delhi which accounts for 30 percent of the total inflow and 28 percent of the total outflow of fruits and vegetables, the release said. "First-of-its-kind in the country, the market will be built on international standards. When operationalised, it will offer farmers, consumers and traders access to modern sorting, washing, grading, packaging, waxing, preservation, testing and certification facilities," it said.